A residential sewage leak was the cause for concern when it flooded two residential properties in De Klerkshof.
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The leak, which started on February 11, was only unblocked on February 15.
According to affected residents, Kat Stuart and Jenni Lottering, this is the second leak in recent months with the first occurring in November.
Although Stuart and Lottering are thankful for the CoE’s Hendrik Botha, call centre operators and members of the Ward 18 committee who assisted, they said the repeating problem is a health hazard.
According to Lottering when the manhole, located on the property where she resides is full, her flat is flooded with wastewater.
She said it enters her home through the shower pipes and a sliding door.
Stuart and Lottering said the situation was fine after November, until the most recent leak.
“At about 02:00 my cat woke me up with a screech and when I stepped out of bed, I understood what was going on,” said Lottering.
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As a result of the leak, both Lottering’s and Stuart’s gardens were flooded with sewage, toilet paper and waste.
This forced them to keep their children and animals indoors.
After obtaining a reference number on Saturday, Stuart sent the information to Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart who informed her she had escalated the matter.
“On February 12 there was barely a trickle of sewage because we had no further rain.”
Thinking the problem was resolved, Stuart thanked Hart. However, on February 13 the leak was flowing again.
Lottering said the sewage was spewing out and sanitary pads could be seen hanging at the manhole’s opening.
Informing Hart of the renewed problem, Stuart requested that she escalated the problem several more times.
“I then told Hart that her apathy is astounding,” said Stuart.
“Hart informed me that she didn’t escalate it but that she’s busy and in meetings and she can’t be expected to respond to a WhatsApp.”
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After taking multiple days of unpaid leave, Stuart managed to get some assistance after contacting Ward 18 committee member Simon Tebogo Molemoge whom she met at the sanitation department.
“Botha phoned me while I was outside the department and guaranteed me that the leak would be fixed on the same day.”
Lottering said when the manhole was cleared, the team was pulling out plastic, nappies, sanitary pads and wet wipes.
“Why are sanitary products in the drains,” asked Lottering
“I know that in high school the girls were pulled aside and taught how to dispose of sanitary products.”
“We have two boys on the property. My son of 15 years does not need to see things like that,” she said.
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Stuart said going through the ordeal has left them feeling dirty and disgusting.
“I had to go to friends or my sister-in-law for a shower because I cannot use my shower,” said Lottering.
The pair haven’t been able to cook in their homes, either eating at relatives or getting takeaways.
“God only knows what is in the air.”
Lottering said although she is cleaning the property as best as she can, she is worried that with more rain on the way, there would be another leak soon.
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Both Stuart and Lottering agreed being surrounded by filth and worrying about the next leak has left them traumatised.
A request for comment was sent to the CoE and Hart on February 16, requesting comment by February 17 at 13:30.
At the time of going to print no comment was received.
